Figure



March 3, 1964 M. E. WOOD 3,123,318

SPINNING REELS Original Filed Aug. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

I By Mone/5 E. Woon W12/@34M ATTORNEY 5 I8 ATTORNEY March 3, 1964 M. E. woon 3,123,318

SPINNING REELS Original. Filed Aug. 22, 1955 4 Shasta-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. MORRIS E. Woon ATTO NEY March 3, 1964 M. E. WOOD 3,123,318'

' SPINNING REELS Original Filed Aug. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. MoRre/s E. Woon ATTO United States Patent O 3,123,318 SPINNING REELS Morris E. Wood, Bronson, Mich., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Bronson Specialties, Inc., Bronson,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Continuation of application Ser. No. 529,855, Aug. 2.2, 1955. This application Nov. 2.8, 1961, Ser. No. 157,039

1s claims. (cima-84.2)

The invention relates generally to fishing reels and more particularly is directed to reels known as the spining type.

The subject application is a continuation of my copending application Serial No. 529,855, now abandoned.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a reel of the spinning type in which the line is guided axially onto and off a spool in a manner whereby to prevent the line from twisting. In other words, provision is made for complete control of the line within the contines of the reel to avoid snarling or entanglements with any of the internal lixed or movable components of the reel structure.

More particularly, the reel embodying the invention includes, among other things, a spool, a line pickup, operating means for imparting relative rotational movement between the spool and pickup to direct a line onto the spool, a pair of axially disposed clamping elements, and actuating means for imparting relative axial movement between the clamping elements through movement of the spool for braking the movement of the line between the elements. One of the clamping elements is preferably made in the form of a brake drum located forwardly of the spool and the other clamping element preferably constitutes a component of the spool unit or assembly and is preferably made in the form of an annular guard or ring to assist in controlling movement of the line within the reel when the clamping elements are manipulated.

A specic object of the invention is to mount the clamping elements in a manner whereby they may be revolved in unison when in clamping relationship to brake movement of the line when the line is being pulled from the reel. These clamping elements are operatively related and actuated so as to provide a feathering or graduated line controlling means thereby eliminating the sudden or too abrupt braking action usually present in reels of the spinning type.

An important object of the invention is to provide means for imparting relative axial movement between the spool unit and the pickup to render the pickup and the clamping elements inoperative in order to permit the line to freely unwind from the spool as desired when a cast is made. The arrangement is preferably such that the line in a casting operation will run radially outward from the spool and over the front clamping element or drum as distinguished from passing over any frontal ange or portion of the spool. In fact, the spool and pickup are so designed and constructed that the line will not ride axially over any portions thereof.

A significant object of the invention is to provide the reel with a frame which supports a front cap for covering the spool assembly, pickup and clamping elements and a rear protecting enclosure for supporting parts of the movement imparting means, above referred to, so that the majority of the components of the reel are arranged in a housing.

Another important object of the invention is to provide the cap with a line guide opening in front of the brake drum and form the brake drum and the cap in a Way that movement of the line in passing from and onto the spool is controlled thereby with the rear guard ring serving to prevent the line from working to the rear of the spool. In other words, the guard, brake drum and cap are ICC arranged in a predetermined relationship to control or influence movement of the line when a cast is made and without interference by the pickup. When the line is being retrieved and directed onto the spool, the cap and brake drum will also serve to control movement of the line therebetween but the guard ring will not normally assist in this respect.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for holding the pickup in a nested or inoperative position within the confines of the brake drum when a cast is made and an arrangement for automatically returning the pickup to an operative position to direct a line onto the spool when the driving means of the reel is rotated in a line-winding direction.

Also, an object of the invention is to provide an adjustable drag mechanism for the pickup when the line is being reeled in and onto the spool.

An additional object of the invention is to provide the actuating means or mechanism, above referred to, with components connected to the spool as distinguished from being connected to an annular brake for moving the brake forwardly of a spool to engage a line pickup to impart a braking action to a line as exemplified in at least one prior art patent on the subject.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a manual actuator which is operatively connected to the actuating means and mounted on the rear enclosure, above referred to, in such a way that it can be depressed by a digit of the hand, in a natural gripping direction toward a handle on which the reel is adapted to be mounted, for convenience and facilitating its actuation and for the purpose of promoting the eiiiciency of its thrust action against the actuating mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reel with a unique reversible ratchet mechanism which may be readily adjusted to convert the reel for use by either a left or right-handed person, the arrangement being such that the reel is adapted to be mounted on the top side of a rod or pole for right-hand use and on the bottom side of the pole for left-hand use.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved operating or driving mechanism for the pickup including a frictionally driven gear and a novel clicking device associated therewith.

A specific object of the invention is to provide an improved setup to facilitate assembly of the brake drum with the shaft on which it is mounted.

A significant object of the invention is to provide such a reel with a ratchet mechanism which is operatively associated with the driving mechanism in a novel manner.

Additional objects of the invention reside in providing a reel housing of pleasing design; a reel which is eiiicient and durable; and a reel comprised of components which are designed and constructed to facilitate their manufacture and assembly on a production basis.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the reel is exemplified:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational side View showing the reel applied to the top side of a pole for right-hand use;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the reel illustrating structural details and with the components disposed for winding or directing a line onto the spool;

FIGURE 3 is a view, similar to FIGURE 2, showing the line pickup in a nested or inoperative position within the brake drum and with the line clamped between the drum and rear guard ring;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse section taken through the rear part of the reel and illustrates structural details of the driving means, actuating means and actuator therefor, drag means, and the reversible ratchet mechanism;

FIGURE 5 is a partial View, similar to FIGURES 2 and 3, showing the pickup in a transistory position of its movement;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view depicting details of structure employed to assist in maintaining the pickup in operative and inoperative positions;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded view showing details of the structure used to facilitate operative connection of the brake drum and a driven shaft;

FIGURE 8 is an exploded view showing details of parts of the actuating means and rnode of operatively connecting them with parts of the spool assembly;

FIGURE 9 is a transverse section showing details of the mounting for the line pickup;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse section taken through an appropriate part of the reel to show the operative relationship between the brake drum and line pickup;

FIGURE ll is a partial side view of the crank utilized to operate the driving means and the manual control for adjusting the drag means;

FlGURE l2 is a transverse section taken through an appropriate part of the reel to show details of a drive gear and a clicker detent carried thereby for engaging a toothed member to produce a clicking sound;

FlGURE 13 is an exploded view illustrating the struetural relationship of the components of the reversible ratchet mechanism;

FIGURE 14 is a transverse section showing the components of FlGURE i3 assembled to permit use of the reel by a right-handed person to rotate the pickup in one direction and prevent reverse rotation;

FIGURE l5 is an explodedview of parts of the ratchet mechanism showing the ratchet in a reversed position for assembly to permit use of the reel by a left-handed person, in which event the pickup can only be rotated in a direction opposite to that permitted for right-hand use; and

FIGURE 16 is a side elevational View, similar to FlG- L- URE l, depicting the reel mounted on the bottom side of a pole or rod for-left-hand use.

Referring generally to the reel structure exemplied in FIGURES l through 13 of the drawings, numeral l designates a frame, 2 a spool assembly having a guard ring 3, l a rotatable driven shaft, 5 a line pickup mounted on the shaft for movement therewith and for axial movement thereon relative to the spool assembly, 6 a brake drum rotatably mounted on the fore end of the shaft, 7 operating or driving means for driving the shaft and ickup, 8 drag means associated with the operating means, 9 actuating means connected to the spool, lil a manual actuator for moving the actuating means to impart relative axial movement between the spool assembly and drum, ll a cap connected to the frame for covering the components in front of the frame, and an enclosure 12 for substantially covering those components at the rear of the frame.

The reel from l is preferably cast or moulded from a suitable material and, among other things, includes a round wall 13, a pair of lower rearwardly extending parallel side Walls ld and l5 having converging portions i6 joined by a longitudinal bridge i7 having a concave seat in its underside within which a plate l is secured by a fastener lil, as illustrated in FlGURES l, 3 and 4. The plate serves to attach the reel to either the top or bottom side of a pole 20 to locate the longitudinal axis of the reel in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the pole. The round wall t3 has a centrally disposed forwardly extending tubular support 2l and a rearwardly extending boss 22. The front side of the wall is provided with a relatively small clearance recess 23 and a larger counter clearance recess 24 for rear parts of the spool assembly. The wall is further provided with an axially extending peripheral formation having a rear flange 2S on which a concave forward portion 26 of the rear enclosure 12 is seated and a forward llange 27 on which the cap ll is mounted. It will be noted that the wall 13 is preferably reenforced by radial webs 2S joining the rear flange and the boss 22. The manner in which the cap and enclosure are attached to the reel frame and their respective functions will be described more in detail subsequently.

The spool assembly 2, as exemplified in FIGURES 2, 3 and 8, includes a tubular tting 29, a tubular bushing 39, a rear spool ilange 3l, a front spool ilange 32, a washer 33, a locking part 34, a washer 35, a ilexible member 36, and the guard ring or clamping element 3 above referred to. These components are all connected together to constitute a unit which is mounted for axial movement on the tubular support 21 in front of the wall 13 through the intermediation of the actuating means 9 and the manual actuator lil therefor.

More particularly in this respect, the tubular tting 29V is provided with a rear radial ange 37 having a pair of notches 38 therein for respectively receiving a pair of corresponding plunger rods 39 constituting components of the actuating means, as illustrated in FGURES 2, 3 and 8. The rods extend through holes in radial portions of the boss 22 for support to impart forward axial movement to the spool assembly. The bushing 3d is mounted on the fitting 29 and has a radial flange provided with a pair of notches 40 which register with the notches 38 in the ilange 37 of the tting 29 for receiving heads 4l formed on the fore ends of the rods. The flexible member 36 has a hub 4?. preferably provided with four corresponding equally spaced-apart resiliently exible radial legs 43 having curved ends to provide individual seats 44 on which the guard ring 3 may rotate. The hub 42 is provided with an aperture which receives the bushing 3l! and also has a pair of radial clearance openings 45, as shown in FIGURE 8. The washer 33 is mounted on the bushing 34B. in front of the flexible member 36 and is provided with resilient projections 46 which extend rearwardly through the clearance openings into the notches 4t) ofthe bushing 3l) so that the heads 4l of the rods will bear against the projections to prevent vibration or rattle between the spool assembly and the rods. The fore part of the bushing 30 is upset at 47 and the washer 35 is interposed between this upset and the base wall of a recess 4S in the front flange 32 of the spool to secure the spool anges, washer 33 and flexible member 36 to the bushing 3?. The fore part of the fitting 291 is provided with an annular exterior groove 49 which receives the locking part 3d, the latter preferably being in the form of a split resilient ring for holding the aforesaid spool components detachably assembled as a unit with the iitting 29. The recess 23 in the front side of the wall i3 of the reel frame provides clearance for the radial ange 37 on the fitting 29 and the counter-recess T- provides clearance for the guard ring 3, ilexible member 36 and the rear iiange of the spool when the spool assembly is in its normal retracted position, as shown in FIGURE 2, in which position` the pickup 5 can be rotated to direct a line L onto the spool. Although this arrangement may be modified, it will be noted that the plunger rods 39 are connected tothe spool proper and not to the guard ring 3 or ilcxible member 3d associated therewith.

rIhe rear spool flange 31; is preferably made from plastic and is provided with a rear recess Sil for receiving the washer 33. The ilange 3l also has an axially extending cylindrical hub 5l which bears against the rear surface of the recessed portion 4S of the front spool flange 32 so that inturned opposed axially extending peripheral portions 52 and 53 of the flanges 3l and 32 of the spool will be maintained in a predetermined spaced relationship to provide a throat through which the line L may radially pass. It will be noted that the front spool llange is generally conical or (lished in shape; that the rear spool flange is formed to nest within a front recess 54 formed in the guard ring,

and that the rear side of the rear flange is provided with an annular abutment 55 which is engaged by the radial legs 43 of the flexible member 36 so that the guard ring 3 is more or less loosely supported to float between the rear spool flange and flexible member. The ring includes a base wall 56 which is interposed between the flange 31 and the flexible member. The ring, as shown in FIGURE 2, also includes a radial peripheral flange 57 provided with an annular concave groove 58 at its front side for receiving a rear annular rounded marginal edge 59 of a cylindrical peripheral portion 6i) of the brake drum 6 when the spool assembly is moved forwardly a predetermined distance by depressing the actuator 1li with a digit of the hand, such as the thumb.

The spool assembly is preferably normally held in a rear retracted position, as shown in FIGURE 2, by a pair of helical springs 6l surrounding the plunger rods 39. The rear end of each rod is preferably provided with a reduced portion which supports a cup-shaped abutment 62. The ends of the springs respectively bear against the abutments 62 and the boss 22 on the wall 13. The mode of actuating the plunger rods by the actuator and the manner of mounting the actuator on the enclosure 12 will be described subsequently.

Attention is directed to the fact that portions of the guard ring and brake drum are preferably disposed in spaced concentric relationship about the spool as well as about the pickup for clamping the line preferably at a point located exteriorly of the spool and pickup. Of further importance is the fact that the radial portion 57 of the guard ring serves to prevent the line from working back and in between the ring and wall 13 of the reel frame. The axial relationship of the ring and the cylindrical portion 6ft of the brake drum and their concentric relationsip to a cylindrical and/or curved portion 63 of the cap 12 define an annular passage 64 for controlling or guiding the line, particularly when it leaves the spool during a cast. The cap is preferably bell-shaped and also includes a frontal portion 65 provided with an eye member 66 at its apex through which the line passes. This member is preferably constructed from a suitable hardened material to prevent line wear. The cap is preferably detachably connected to the forward ange 27 of the wall 13 by providing the flange with bayonet recesses and the portion 63 of the cap with bayonet projections which seat in the recesses.

The pickup generally designated 5 and its operative relationship with the spool assembly and brake drum 6 will now be described. This particular structure, as exemplified in FGURES 2, 3, 5, 6 and l0, includes a hub having a recessed portion 67 provided with a squared opening 68 through which a squared portion 69 of the driven shaft l extends to key the pickup for rotation with the shaft and for axial movement thereon. The shaft also includes a cylindrical portion 70, a neck portion 7l, and a cylindrical portion 72 which rotates in a tubular bearing 73 fixed in the tubular support 21 of the reel frame. The tubular support 21 is provided with a pair of diametrically disposed axially extending slots 74 having bases 7S. The fore end of the tubular bearing 73 is disposed flush with the bases 7S and its rear end has a flange 76 bearing against the boss 22 on the wall f3. The hub of the pickup is provided with a plurality of corresponding radial legs or arms 77, preferably four in number. The legs preferably include straight portions, the outer extremities of which are curved rearwardly with their ends extending in general axial alignment with the guard ring but not normally in engagement therewith. The recessed portion 67 of the hub, as shown in FIGURE l0, is also provided with a pair of diametrically disposed arcuate openings 78 which receive forward projections 79 of similar shape formed on the fore end of a tubular part 80. When the pickup is moved forwardly by the spool assembly in a manner to be described subsequently, the tubular part will be caused to slide on the cylindrical portion 72 and squared portion 69 of the shaft. The part 80, as shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 6, includes a flange 81 against which the hub of the pickup bears for stabilizing the pickup when the projections 79 are upset to secure the part and pickup together for movement as a unit. The part 80 also includes a reduced cylindrical portion 82, adjacent the liange Si, a larger cylindrical portion 83, and an intermediate tapered cylindrical portion 84. The larger portion 33 is provided with a pair of diametrically disposed rearwardly extending axial continuations and a pair of arcuate abutment surfaces S6.

When the pickup is moved forwardly a predetermined distance by the actuator l0 through the agency of the spool assembly, a generally U-shaped spring 87 serves to temporarily hold the pickup in a forward position in the brake drum, as exemplified in FIGURE 3. The spring, shown iii FGURES 2, 3 and 6, includes a base 88 and a pair of forwardly extending converging T-shaped fingers having enlarged ends 89. The base is provided with a hole which receives the cylindrical portion 70 of the shaft d and a split washer 90 is secured to the neck 71 of the shaft for securing the spring in place with its base 8S against the end of the fixed bearing 73 and/or the bases '.75 on the tubular support 21, and the fingers disposed in the slots 74 of this support with their enlarged ends 89 normally bearing against the flange 81 and the reduced cylindrical portion 82 of the tubular part 80, as shown in FIGURE 2.

A tapered helical spring 91 encircles the squared portion 69 of the driven shaft and has a small end engaging the upset projections 79 of the tubular part 80 and a large end engaging a cup 92 carried by a fitting 93 which carries the brake drum 6. This helical spring assists in normally urging the pickup rearwardly and in locking the fitting 93 to the driven shaft. As will be explained more in detail subsequently, when the pickup is moved forwardly, the enlarged ends 89 on the fingers of the spring 87 will ride successively on the tapered cylindrical portion 84 and portion S3 and when a predetermined forward position of the pickup is reached, the spring fingers will move toward one another to cause the enlarged ends thereof to engage the arcuate abutment surfaces 86 on the part Si@ and thereby temporarily hold the pickup in the position shown in FIGURE 3 to permit unwinding of the line from the spool. The reel can also be operated to control release of a line whenever the fingers of the pickup are disposed within the confines of the drum in a position in which the enlarged ends 89 of the spring are not in engagement with the abutment surfaces 86. If the pickup and part 80 carried thereby happen to be in a rotative position in which the spring fingers are aligned with the axial continuations 85, the fingers will not snap against the surfaces 86 when the pickup is moved forwardly to the extent depicted in FEGURE 3 because the enlarged ends of the fingers will be bearing against the continuations. However, if the pickup is projected forwardly a sufficient distance in advance of the position shown in FIGURE 3, the legs of the spring will snap toward one another and cause the enlarged ends of the spring to engage the end surfaces of the continuations 85. With this setup, the pickup can be moved forwardly and temporarily held in either of two forward positions substantially Within the confines of the drum to permit control and/or free release of the line from the spool when or after a cast is made. Irrespective of whether the enlarged ends of the spring are bearing against the ends of the continuations or against the surfaces S6, rotation of the pickup by the driving or operating mechanism will cause the spring fingers to spread apart a distance corresponding to the diameter of the cylindrical portion 83 of the tubular part Si) whereupon the helical spring 9i will automatically force the pickup back to its normal operating position for directing the line onto the spool as depicted in FGURE 2. Movement of the pickup back to its operative position is assisted or advanced by the force of the spring fingers bearing on the tapered cylinalessia drical portion 84 of the part 3@ until the enlarged ends of the sprint7 take the positions shown in FGURE 2.

The mode of attaching the iitting @Si to the driven shaft is unique and will now be described. The fitting, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 7, includes a ilange and the drum 6 is provided with a central recessed portion 95 having a hole therein which receives a portion of 'the fitting so that the base of the portion l5 will engage the flange 94 when the cup 92 is secured to the fitting and related to this base by upsetting a portion of the fitting, as indicated at 96 in EGURE 2. The flange 94 and cup jointly serve to secure the drum in a stabilized. position on the driven shaft d for free rotation relative to the itting and shaft. As will be explained more in detail subsequently, when the brake drinn and guard ring 3 are in a clamping relationship land a pull is exerted on the line, the drum and ring `are free to rotate in unison with respect to the longitudinal iaxis of the driven shaft when the shaft is idle. This shaft, as evidenced in FIGURES 2 and 7, is provided with a cylindrical portion 97 adjacent its squared portion o9 to form a shoulder @3, a smaller cylindrical portion 99, and a generally rectangular head lll@ aligned with the squared shaft portion 69. The fitting 93 is also provided with a round hole lill, a squared hole lll/2. and its front side with arcuate formations 193 spaced to provide pairs of abt ments ldd or notches disposed generally in a line `at right angles to or transverse to the length of the straft head The arrangement is such that the fitting, drum and cup as a unit can be readily detachably connected to the shaft by merely threading the head ddii through the holes lill and lil/2 and beyond the arcuate formations llt and then turning the unit so that the head is aligned with the abutments whereupon the unit is moved outwardly to lo* 'cate the head or ends thereof between the abutments ltid so that the` helical spring 9i will hold the head in place to prevent relative rotation between the fitting and the shaft. Obviously, other` ways may be employed to connect the drum to the shaft, but the one exemplified Yhas proven successful in use and has the advantage that no tools are required to effect the connection.

The actuator in and inode of operatively connecting it to the reair enclosure l2 and the plunger rods will now be described. The actuator'7 as shown in FIGURES l, 3 and 4, is preferably made in the form of a hollow lever pivoted on a cross-pin 165 carried by side walls 'Mld and 167 of the enclosure. The lever is disposed in a generally rectangular opening il@ provided in an inclined or sloping top wall M39- of the enclosure. The lever includes a top wall liti, side walls "lil and an arcuate rear wall lf2. The forward edges of the side walls constitute abutment or cam surfaces 113 which, as indicated by the dotted lines in FGURE l, bear against the inner ends or" the rods 39. The top wall liti' of the lever is provided with a portion which is held against the underside of the top Wal-l ll of the enclosure through the action of the springs 6l to maintain the lever in a position for operation with its top wall il@ in a substantially horizontal position. The top wall of the lever is also dished or made concave to receive a digit of the hond and the location of the cross-pinlf and the relationship of the actuator `and plunger rods are predetermined so as to obtain a smooth and easy operating leverage action which can be accurately controlled by variabile pressures applied to the lever in a natural gripping direction toward the pole.

The rear yenoirsure also includes a wall having an arcuate portion lid, an `arcuate portion lle and a depending portion llo. The arcuate portion 'lili is on a radius slightly greater than the radius of the rear arcuate wall i12 of the lever for clearance and promoting continuity between the enclosure and lever. T he side walls of the enclosure are widened at certain locations to provide clearance for the plunger rods and are notched to conform with and engage upper and rear edge portions of of the tubular shaft.

the side wals ld and i5 of the reel frame l. and the arcuate portion tiS and depending portion lle of the enclosure are adapted to'bear against rear edge portions of the walls lid and f1.5. As shown in `FLGURE 4, a pair of screws lil extend through the `oper part of the forward concave portion 26 of the enclosure l2 and connect with the wall i3 of the frame. Screws, not shown, also extend through the depending wall il into the side walls ift and l5 of the frame and connect with holes, as shown in tEiGURE 4, to detachably connect the enclosure to the frame. rfhe enclosure and frame are snugly intertted to promote manufacture and rapid assembly thereof, stability and exclude foreign matter.

The operating or driving mechanism 7 for rotating the pickup 5, as depicted in 'FIGURES 2, 4, ll, l2 and i3, will now be described. The side wall l5, as shown in FIGURE 4, is provided with a tubular portion il extending transversely between the side walls. This tubular portion has internal threads and a tubular member il@ extends into this portion and has threads which connect with the threads on the portion M8. A tubular drive shaft l2@ is mounted in the tubular member il@ for rotational movement. A solid drive shaft E23 extends through the tubular shaft `and its outer end is threaded and also squared to provide a shoulder im. A wheel i213 engages the outer end of the tubui'ar shaft and is threadedly connected to the solid shaft for convenient manipulation adjacent a hand crank 124. rThe crank has a squared opening which receives the squared portion of the solid shaftto keep the crank thereto. A nut securesthe crank to the shaft and against the shoulder rl22 and a washer is interposed between the crank and nut. rThe solid shaft also has an axially extending inner squared endy 153.6V whichextends through a squared hole 127' in `a driven member t28 for keying the member thereto. The tubular shaft lZllis also provided with a squared portion l2?. it will be noted that the driven member is providedwith a squared recess which receives the squared portion 129 of the tubular shaft l2@ to= key the member thereto against rotation. The driven member 12S is provided with a flange having teeth i3@ which are adapted to selectively cooperate with a ilexible detent irll prefemably secured by a rivet. 132 to a drive gear l rotatabiy mounted on the squared portion 129 The dete-ntl is located to produce anaudible clicking-sound or signal whenever relative rotation occurs betweent'he drive gear and the driven memrber. The opposite sides of the drive gear 133 are recessed, as indicated at i3d, and a pair of corresponding flat friction members 135, constructed of some desirable tconrpressibie material such as leather washers, are respectively seated' in the recesses and a pair of corresponding relatively rigid friction members 136 and yll3'7, preferably of metal, are keyed to the squared portion i223' oi the tubular shaft by squared holes in the members cooperating with the squared portion while the leather washersl areV free to vrot-ate on such poion ofthe shaft as well as with respect to the members i3d and 137. The men ber @.37 engages a shoulder E33 on the tubular shaft and the other member i3d engages a spring Washer i329, the latter engaging the driven member 123. This unique arrangement is such that by manipulating the star wheel '23, the leather washers can be compressed against the drive gear to provide :a variable frictional clutch mech-anisrn between'the drive gear and the tubular shaft ld.

The drive gear 133, as shown in FiGURE 2, is o eratively connected to a pinion gear ld@ which may be constructed of any suitable material. This pinion gear is mounted on a cylindrical rear extremity lill of the driven shaft between a thrust member 142 engaging a shoulder M3 on the shaft and a thrust member ldd carried by a squared and threaded end of the shaft. A nut serves to clamp the pinion between the thrust members and against rotation with respect to the shaft. It will be noted that the thrust member 142 also bears against the flange star alaasis 76 on the tubular fixed bearing 73 to limit forward movement of the shaft and that the base 8-8 of the U-shaped spring and split washer 9()y serve to limit rear movement of the shaft.

As alluded to above, one important feature of the invention resides in conventing the reel for use by either a right or left-handed person. When the rod is mounted on the upper side of a pole 201, as shown in FIGURE 1, and the antireverse mechanism is disposed, as in FIGURE 14, the reel is adapted for right-hand use and when the ratchet of the mechanism is reversed, the reel is adapted for lefthand use when mounted on the underside of the pole, as depicted in FIGURE 16.

More particularly, the above mechanism, as shown in FIGURES 4, 13 and 14, includes a llat ratchet 146 provided with a squared opening which receives the squared end 126 of the solid shaft to key the ratchet thereto. The ratchet is of hardened steel and includes a plurality of arcuate surfaces 147 and a plurality of corresponding projections or teeth spaced 12(l apart. Each tooth preferably includes a straight abutment surface 14S and an inclined surface 149 which joins and is substantially tangent to an arcuate surface 147. rThree projections or teeth are preferably utilized. The side fwall 14 of the reel frame, as shown in FIGURE 4, is provided with an opening 150 `which more or less snugly receives a cup 151 preferably secured to a mounting plate 152 by rivets extending through the base of the cup and the mounting plate. The plate 152 preferably is detachably held in place by a screw 153 which is adapted for insertion through an aperture in an offset of the plate and connects with a threaded hole in the side wall 114.

'Phe hase of the cup is relatively thick and is provided with a transverse slot 154 and its side wall is provided with a pair of diametrically disposed longitudinal slots 155 which register with the slot 154 to provide a guidevvay. An elongate pawl or key 156 of hardened steel is disposed in the guideway for movement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the driven shaft. This pawl includes an elongate portion 157 and offset ends 158. The outer face of the ratchet 146 is adapted to bear against the inner surface of the elongate portion 157 and the arcuate surfaces 147 and inclined surfaces 149 of the ratchet are adapted to successively ride against the inner surfaces of the offset ends 158 to continuously reciprocate the pawl or key in the guideway when the solid shaft is rotated. When the key is dispo-sed, as in FIGURES 13 and 14, and the crank 124 is rotated clockwise by a right-handed person, as 4indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 1, the pickup will also rotate in a clockwise direction and during these movements, the key will reciprocate as aforesaid but rotation in a reverse or counterclockwise direction is prevented by the straight surface 1113 on a tooth engaging a side of one of the offset ends of the key. In other words, the alternate engagement of the inclined surfaces 149 of the ratchet with the offset ends of the key will produce a camming action to reciprocate the key to allow for free rotation of the pickup in one direction and when a force is applied to the pickup through an outward pull on the line to rotate the pickup in an opposite direction, a straight surface 148 of a tooth will engage the key or pawl and thereby prevent further rotation in the opposite or reverse direction. Whe-never the outward pull of the line is sufcient to overcome the frictional resistance or drag between the drive gear and the tubular shaft through the friction members or elements, the pickup may Abe caused to rotate in such reverse direction to allow removal of the line from the spool.

.T o convert the reel for left-hand use, it is merely necessary to remove the mounting plate and cap as a unit from the reel frame, including the key and ratchet and then reverse the position of the ratchet, as shown in FIGURE 15, after which the key, plate and cap are reassembled. With the ratchet thus reversed, the shaft 121 and piclcup can be rotated in a counterclockrwise direction, as indi- 1@ cated yby the arrow in FIGURE 16, land not in a clockwise direction when the reel is mounted on the underside of a pole 20, as shown in FIGURE 16.

The operating sequence of the reel Will now be described. The reel, as shown in FIGURE 2, is in the lineretriev-ing position. The iine enters the reel housing through the eye 66, passes over an outer surface of the brake drum, turns inwardly at substantially a right angle over the rear peripheral edge 59 of the drum, past the pickup fingers 77, and is wound onto the spool in a clockwise direction by any one of the pickup fingers when che crank 124 is turned in a fright-hand direction. The lcrank is prevented from reverse or left-hand rotation at all times by the antireverse mechanism comprising the key and ratchet. As set forth above, should it be desired to mount the reel under a pole or rod, in a true spinning fashion, the ratchet may be reversed on the squared end of the shaft thereby allowing rotation in a left-hand direction, but preventing normal right-hand rotation.

The drive gear 133 mounted on the tubular shaft 120 is driven by contact through the friction members. The members 136 and 137 are keyed to the shaft and the members are lfree to rotate on the shaft. Variable drag or driving friction is obtained `by tightening or loosening the star wheel 123 threaded on the solid or drag shaft 121.

To cast the line having a bait at its free end, the actuator lever 10 is pushed downwardly to impart forward movement to the spool assembly, through the plunger or push rods 39, which are connected to the spool assembly, and fitting 29. Forward travel of the spool assembly causes the latter to engage and move the line pickup therewith, along the driven shaft 4, and during this movement, the line guard 5 contacts the peripheral edge of the brake drum to impart a braking action on the line. As the spool assembly is moved further in a forward direction, the lin-e guard remains in stationary Contact with the brake drum 6 and the braking pressure is maintained through the flexing of the spring lingers 43. The forward motion of the spool assembly may be continued until the surfaces 86 and/or the continuations S5 of the part 50 on the pickup clear, or are forward of the enlarged ends 89 of the legs of the U-shaped spring 37. The enlarged ends of the spring legs then move toward one another to effect a diameter or cross-dimension smaller than the outside diameter of the tubular part Sti thereby preventing the pickup from moving rearwardly with the spool as manual pressure is released on the actuator or control lever 1li.

Rearward travel of the spool, as well as the return of the lever 1i3 to normal position, is accomplished through the action of the helical springs 61 about the rods 39. As the spool moves rearwardly, the rear edge of the spool ange 31 seats against the inner flange 56 of the line guard. The line guard is then moved away from the rear edge of the brake drum, releasing the braking action on the line. The opening or passage, defined by the edge of the drum and the line guard, can be readily controlled by the manual movement of the lever 1h to any desired amount ranging from a full braking pressure to an open, free passage for the line.

The line guard and brake drum are free to rota-te. More particularly in this regard, when during a cast, the spool assembly is moved -forwardly and the line opening [defined by the guard ring and drum is reduced to the point that the line will contact the ring and drum, a rotational force will be imparted to them by the line as it unwinds from the spool. Further reduction of the line opening will increase the rotational `force ion the `line guard ring and drum until they are in contact with sufiicient pressure to prevent passage of the line therebetween -and from the spool. construction and action is unique .and affords a feathering or graduated linecontrolling means and thereby eliminates the sudden braking action usually inherent in spinning reels of this type.

To return the pickup to its opera-tive line-directing position, the crank is rotated which through the geartrain, comprised of gears and ldl, rotates the driven shaft d to which the pickup is keyed against rotation. rllhe tubular part connected to the pickup is urged against the enlarged ends of U-shaped release spring $7 by the tapered helical return spring 9i. As the part il@ is rotated by the driven shaft, the continuations $5 on this part spread or cam open the legs of spring 87 tothe outside diameter of the bushing thereby all-owing the return spring @i to push the part 3d into and under the arms of the release spring. The part S9 comes to est against the washer 9d, and the pickup is `then in position to engage and direct the line onto the spool which serves as a support for the line. The drag mechanism and clicker mechanism function as previously set forth.

l claim:

l. A reel comprising a line support, a rotary shaft extending througn the support, a line pickup mounted on the shaft, a brake element mounted in `front of the pickup, a line guard element yieldably supported on the line support, means for rotating the pickup to direct line onto the support, `and means for moving the line support and guard element forwardly to cause tie brake element to engage the guard element and relatively move the latter rearwardly of `the support iand thereby yieldably retard movement of a line between the elements.

2. A reel comprising a frame, a line support mounted at the `front side of the frame, a rotary shaft extending through the support, a line pickup mounted on the shaft in front of the support, a brake mounted in front of the pickup, a guard carried by the line support and located rearwardly of the pickup, means for rotating the p-ickup to direct line onto the support, and means for anoving the support forwardly a predetermined distance to cause the brake and guard to retard movement of a line from the support at a location exteriorly of the support.

3. A spinning reel comprising a fram-e, a line support mounted at the front side of the frame, a rotary shaft extending through the frame and support, a line pickup mounted on the shaft in front of the support, a brake mounted on the shaft in front of the pickup, a guard carried by the support and located rearwardly of the pickup, driving means for rotating the pickup to direct line onto the support, means for moving :the support and guard forwardly a predetermined distance to cause the brake `and guard to retard movement of a line from the support at ya location exteriorly of the support, means associated with the driving means for causing a drag action to occur between the pickup and driving means, pawl means carried by the frame and reversible ratchet means carried by the driving means and cooperable with the pawl means for limiting rotational movement of the driving means to either of two directions.

`4l. A reel comprising a frame provided with a wall, a line support mounted in front of `the wall, a rotary shaft extending forwardly through the wall, a line pickup mounted in front of th support, a brake element mounted on the shaft in front of the pickup, a guard element resiliently mounted on the support rearwardly of the pickup, means for rotating the pickup to direct line onto the support, and means for moving the support, guard element and pickup forwardly to cause rearward movement of the guard element relative to said support and pickup when guard is brought into engagement with the brake element to retard movement of a line between the elements.

5. A spinning reel comprising a frame provided with a wall, a line support mounted in front of the wall, a rotary shaft extending forwardly through the wail and support, a line pickup mounted in front of the support, a brake element rotatably mounted on t e shaft in front of the pickup, a guard rotatably and resiliently mounted on the support and located rearwardly of tue pickup, means for rol2 tating the pickup to direct ontothe support, and means for moving the support, guard and pickup forwardly to cause rearward movement of the guard relative to said support and pickup when said guard is brought into engagement with the brake element to retard movement of a line therebetween.

6. A spinning reel comprising a line support, a first drumlike element mounted forwardly of the support, a line pickup separate from the element mounted between the element and support, means for imparting relative rotational movement between the support land pickup to direot a line onto the support, a second element spaced lrearwardiy of the .first element, means for imparting relative axial movement between said support and second element as aunit `and the first element to locate `the pickup in the drum element so that a line can be clamped between Ithe elements.

7. A spinning reel comprising a frame, a spool mounted on the frame, a shaft extending forwardly of the spool, a line pickup mounted on the shaft, means for driving the pickup to direct .a line onto the spool, said driving means including friction means to cause a drag action to occur between the driving means and pickup when desired, means operatively connected to the driving means for limiting rotational movement of the pickup to either of two directions, a pair of elements having portions surrounding the pickup, `and means for moving one element axially toward the other element for clamping a line between said surrounding portions when the line is being unwound from the spool.

8. A reel having a support, a spool slidably mounted on the support and provided with la part, a line pickup slidably-.and'rotatably mounted in 4front of the spool for direotingwa line onto the spool, a brake drum mounted in front of the pickup, Xabutment means carried by the pickup, locking means operatively related to the abuiment means, means for moving the pickup toward the drum yto cause the locking means to engage the abutment means and lock thepickup in `an inoperative position, `and'said spool being capable of movement with respect to the brake drum to effect a braking Vaction between the brake drum and said part of `the spool while the pickup is rendered inoperative.

9. A reel having a support, a spool axially shiftable on the support and provided with an annular part, a iline pickup slidably mounted in front of the spool for directing :a line onto the spool, a brake drum mounted in front'of the pickup, and means for `moving the pickup toward the drum to an inoperative position and said `spool towardthe drum to effect a braking "action on a line between the drum and said part when the pickup is in said inoperative position.

l). A fishing reel comprising a frame having a tubular support, a spool slidably mounted on the support, a line guard carried by the spool, a driven shaft extending through the spool, a line pickup mounted on the shaft in front of the spool for movement with and axially on the shaft, a brake drum carried by the shaft and located in front of the pickup, a spring surrounding the shaft and interposed between the pickup and drum for urging the pickup and drum in opposite directions, said pickup being provided with abutment means, locking means operatively related'to said abutment means, a pinion gear carried by the driven shaft, a drive shaft, a drive gear carried by the drive shaft and connected to the pinion gear, friction means associated with the drive gear and drive shaft for establishing a friction drive between the drive shaft and drive gear and so that rotation of the pinion gear by the drive gear will rotate the pickup to direct a line onto the spool, and operating means for moving the spool forwardly to engage and force the pickup forwardly so that the locking means will automatically function to engage the abutment means on the pickup to lock the pickup in a forward predetermined position while permitting axial movement of the spool relative to the brake drum by the operating means whereby the brake drum and line guard may be caused to retard unwinding of a line from the spool, resilient means associated with the operating means for normally urging the spool rearwardly, and said pickup being returnable to an operative line-winding position by said spring upon rotation of the pickup through rotation of the gears by the drive shaft.

11. A spinning reel comprising a frame provided with a tubular portion and a pair of apertures on opposite sides of the tubular portion, a spool slidably mounted on the tubular portion and provided with a clamping portion, a shaft extending through the tubular portion and a pickup carried by the shaft for directing a line onto the spool, a drum carried by the shaft in front of the pickup, a pair of rods slidable in said apertures and connected to said spool, springs carried by said rods for urging the spool rearwardly, and means for pushing the spool forwardly so that the clamping portion thereof and said drum may be caused to clamp a line therebetween.

12. A structure for use with a spinning reel comprising a spool having a rear ila-nge and a front ange, a ring having a portion surrounding the rear flange and abutment means extending inwardly for engaging the rear side of the rear flange for limiting forward movement of the ring relative to the said rear ange, and a spring for normally urging the abutment means on the ring against said rear flange While allowing relative axial movement between said spool and said ring.

13. A spinning reel comprising a support, a spool slidably but nonrotatably mounted on said support, a shaft rotatably but nonslidably mounted with respect to said support, a pickup slidably but nonrotatably mounted on said shaft, means for rotating the shaft to cause the pickup to direct a line onto the spool, and means for sliding the spool forwardly relative to said support and said pickup relative to said shaft.

14. A spinning reel comprising a support, a spool slidably but nonrotatably mounted on the support, a shaft rotatably but nonslidably mounted in the support, a pickup slidably but not nonrotatably mounted on the shaft in front of the spool for directing a line onto the spool, a tubular element carried by the pickup, resilient means mounted in front of the pickup for normally urging the pickup toward the spool, a spring stationarily associated with the support and having a pair of converging legs normally biased against the exterior surface of the tubular element on said pickup when the latter is in a retracted line-winding position, means for rotating the pickup, and means for shifting the spool and pickup forwardly to enable the legs of said spring to move toward one another and engage the inner end of said tubular element to detain the pickup in a predetermined position until it is released by rotation of said pickup.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,546,465 Martini Mar. 27, 1951 2,675,192 Hull Apr. 13, 1954 2,675,975 Ferguson Apr. 20, 1954 2,828,088 Denison et al. Mar. 25, 1958 2,843,333 Jones July 15, 1958 3,029,040 Wood Apr. 10, 1962 

6. A SPINNING REEL COMPRISING A LINE SUPPORT, A FIRST DRUMLIKE ELEMENT MOUNTED FORWARDLY OF THE SUPPORT, A LINE PICKUP SEPARATE FROM THE ELEMENT MOUNTED BETWEEN THE ELEMENT AND SUPPORT, MEANS FOR IMPARTING RELATIVE ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE SUPPORT AND PICKUP TO DIRECT A LINE ONTO THE SUPPORT, A SECOND ELEMENT SPACED REARWARDLY OF THE FIRST ELEMENT, MEANS FOR IMPARTING RELATIVE AXIAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID SUPPORT AND SECOND ELEMENT AS A UNIT AND THE FIRST ELEMENT TO LOCATE THE PICKUP IN THE DRUM ELEMENT SO THAT A LINE CAN BE CLAMPED BETWEEN THE ELEMENTS. 